Russ Feingold: “I oppose the Military Commissions Act. Let me be clear: I welcomed efforts to bring terrorists to justice. Actually, it…”

“I oppose the Military Commissions Act. Let me be clear: I welcomed efforts to bring terrorists to justice. Actually, it is about time. This administration has too long been distracted by the war in Iraq from the fight against al-Qaida. We need a renewed focus on the terrorist networks that present the greatest threat to this country. We would not be where we are today, 5 years after September 11, with not a single Guantanamo Bay detainee having been brought to trial, if the President had come to Congress in the first place, rather than unilaterally creating military commissions that did not comply with the law. The Hamdan decision was a historic rebuke to an administration that has acted for years as if it is above the law. I have hoped that we would take this opportunity to pass legislation that allows us to proceed in accordance with our laws and our values. That is what separates America from our enemies. These trials, conducted appropriately, have the potential to demonstrate to the world that our democratic constitutional system of government is our greatest strength in fighting those who attack us. That is why I am saddened I must oppose this legislation because the trials conducted under this legislation may send a very different signal to the world, one that I fear will put our troops and personnel in jeopardy both now and in future conflicts.”